Holding Pen

I'm in a holding pen time zone. It's kind of annoying... I have many long days where work is slow, clients are quiet & I don't spend much money seeing I'm trying to save. One day was so dull that I decided to just walk around downtown Mpls and soak in the last few days I have as a resident of the city. As I was sitting outside of the Target on Nicollet Mall tuning up my iPod a man approached me. He had also just walked out of Target and motioned for me to take my ear piece out. I looked at him (probably with a bit of apprehension/annoyance) and he blurts out, "Ma'am...I just spent $15 for a scarf...how does it look?!" After the question he strikes a noble pose. I stifled my laugh and told him that it looked very nice. We spoke for a short while and went on our merry way.

It's moments like those that I'll take away with me in regards to this city. While I'm usually approached (at least 2x week) by people asking for money it was a nice breath of fresh air to get such a silly but honored question. The man was genuine and probably just wanted a compliment from a lady. It actually put a smile on my face and a little kick to my step for the rest of the day. While I praise my home state for their "Minnesota Nice" I don't think we actually live up to it by outsider standards. I think we do a bit more in the country (I forgot that EVERYONE waves to each other when they drive/walk/ride by until the other day when 15 people waved at me during a period of one hour). But I haven't experienced it nor have given it as much - with our general stoic personalities I think an outsider may be confused when they get here. "Why aren't these people smiling?"...."Why don't they come out of their way to see why I'm lost." We are friendly people but that is when it comes to our circles. I don't think we are a great place at welcoming in outsiders. I'm guilty of this and should know better seeing that I have been on the other side.

People think I loved being in the DC area because of the politics or whatever not. Actually it's really because of the openness. It was easy to make friends there because almost everyone was a transient. If you lived there for a semi-length of time you felt obligated to give a bit of guidance to a tourist that has a look of confusion, even if it annoys you so. You welcome newcomers to the group and always invite them to whatever may be going on. You simply understand the loneliness and don't want them to suffer like you had to. You also know that there is no option of "going home" if they are feeling sad.

So while I may feel a bit coupe-d up right now - slow work, moving soon, prepping finances for grad school, perhaps I should enjoy the time of being a Minnesotan and smile a bit more at people and offer a hand of knowledge...you just never know how that can change a persons perception on the place I will always call home.